The European Birds Directive - RSPB

The Birds Directive in action
England: time for a Greater Thames
Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
The Greater Thames Estuary combines essential
elements of the natural world and human society in
ways that put the Birds Directive to a real test.
Can the framework of the Directive, developed three
decades ago, provide a robust yet flexible tool to help
sustainable development in the 21st century? The
RSPB’s analysis is that the Birds Directive has been
instrumental in setting the context for the Thames and
delivering some hugely encouraging outcomes.
Reconciling the needs of the hundreds of thousands
of wild birds that depend on the Thames Estuary for
their survival, and the pressing needs of an expanding
human population in London and on both shores of
the river, was always going to be a challenge. Historic
losses of coastal grazing marshes, the landscapes of
Dickens, in the face of expanding human demands are
well recorded. But the essence of the wild Thames
remains into modern times.
Ernie Janes (rspb-images.com)
Greening the Gateway
The Thames Estuary has seen many changes and this
process continues. The RSPB is playing a leading role
in the latest programme for change – the Thames
Gateway. In support of the Parklands programme, the
RSPB is creating 20 sq km of green space in Kent,
London and Essex that is vital for the long-term
conservation of the estuary’s wildlife and will be
accessible to all. We support the objectives of
establishing the Gateway as an exemplar of
low-carbon growth and sustainable regeneration.
The RSPB is bringing to life our Futurescapes vision of
large-scale habitat creation for the Thames Estuary,
recreating familiar landscapes and vital habitats. This
will turn the area into a high quality environment for
people and sustainable development along
the Thames.
The RSPB is convinced the central role that the natural
environment of the Thames Gateway is now playing in
establishing an “eco-region” is due in no small part to
the recognition brought by designations under the
Birds Directive. The Thames Estuary is demonstrably
world class for wildlife conservation, and is designated
to reflect that fact. This ensures the benefits to human
society that come from a wild coast, protected and
managed both for its wildlife and the people, can
be achieved.
Right: dark-bellied brent geese accompany a Thames
winter walk with their yelping calls. Numbers have
recovered in the Thames thanks to conservation
measures driven by the Birds Directive.
“
The coast of the Thames Estuary has long inspired me and it
convinces me that placing nature at the heart of a vision for
change is one of the keys to sustainable regeneration in the
Thames Gateway.
”
Sir Terry Farrell, Parklands Design Champion
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